While the cement a dentist selects is crucial to ensuring the success of a restorative procedure, that positive outcome can be an uphill battle if the material falls short in its strength, versatility, or esthetics, or if it’s just not easy to use. Tokuyama formulated its new EsteCem II adhesive resin cement to succeed in each of those areas. The unique material combines the ease and speed of a self-cure with the strength and versatility of a dual-cure resin cement. According to Tokuyama, the cement offers excellent handling, superior esthetics, and reliable adhesive properties to teeth and all restorative materials.

“It simplifies my cementation process for the different restorations I use,” shared Dr. Patricia Yoshida, one of several dentists and prosthodontists who tested EsteCem II for this DPS evaluation. “This product worked well for gold, ceramic, and zirconia restorations,” she added.

Dr. Yoshida and the other evaluators awarded the cement a DPS Best Product rating.

Ease of Use: Dispensing, Handling, and Cleanup With automix tips, the 2-component system of EsteCem II simplifies dispensing, handling, and overall ease of use, and is formulated for effortless cleanup. Dr. Yoshida called the cement easy to use and dual cure, while Dr. Matthew Hyde said he enjoyed the simplicity of use in multiple applications. “The viscosity was excellent, allowing full seating of the restoration,” shared Dr. David Martin. Describing EsteCem II as “easy to use with the provided 2-component bonding agent,” Dr. Byron Davis said the steps for bonding are straightforward. Another dentist said he liked the way the adhesive bottles open and close, adding, “Wow, it makes the work of the assistant easy.” Donald Jetter, DMD, who rated all features as excellent, said the cement “saves chair time with easy mix tips and easy cleanup,” and noted that it was also easy to remove excess dental cement.

When asked for suggested improvements, California dentist Christina Do said she’d like more detailed instructions on how to use EsteCem II with different porcelain products. Another evaluator concluded, “This resin cement was easy to use, [and] cleanup was a breeze after a quick tack cure.”

Versatility EsteCem II provides strong, reliable cementation of restorative materials made of porcelain, zirconia, alumina, metals/alloys, and resins, and is also ideal for the repair of fractured porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and all ceramic restorations. While hoping to find a product that could be used as a universal cement, Dr. Yoshida discovered that she was able to use EsteCem II with porcelain veneers and ceramic crowns at the same time. After using it for a few weeks, she said she’s confident that she can use it with a variety of dental restorations. Dr. Jetter used EsteCem II to recement a post and core build up with an attached PFM crown and said EsteCem II adhesive resin cement was critical to the success of that procedure.

Citing versatility as his favorite feature, one dentist said, “It could be used for different materials [and] could be self- or light-cured.” He added, “The self- cure is essential for hard-to-reach places and when cementing permanent restorations.” Dr. Davis expressed, “I believe this cement is an excellent option for zirconia restorations.”

Final Outcomes: Strength, Esthetics, Reduced Post-op Sensitivity EsteCem II is formulated to offer the higher bond strength found in dual-cure resin cements while reducing or eliminating postoperative sensitivity. With 4 colors—universal, clear, brown, whiteopaque— the cement maximizes both versatility and esthetics. Dr. Jetter cited “the variety of shades available” as one of his favorite features, while a Wisconsin dentist said the brown was very dark and suggested calling it “dark universal” instead of brown. Rating all features as excellent, Dr. Marc Herman described EsteCem II as easy to use with great esthetics and said it decreased both chair time and patient discomfort. Dr. Irene Renieris said that cleanup was sometimes difficult, and added, “I feel that once set, it’s a very strong product.”

Dr. Gregory Farber told DPS there was “low/no postoperative/insert sensitivity reported,” and another evaluator commented that he observed “no postop problems within the first month.” Acknowledging that longer follow-up would be required for a definitive assessment of bond strength, Dr. Hyde shared, “In the short term it appears to bond well.”

—Patricia Yoshida, DDS Vista, CA

“THIS PRODUCT WORKED WELL FOR GOLD, CERAMIC, AND ZIRCONIA RESTORATIONS.”

Overall Satisfaction The majority of dentists who participated in this DPS review said they would recommend EsteCem II adhesive resin cement to their colleagues because of its ease of dispensing and handling, simplified cleanup, excellent esthetics, reliable strength, and lack of postop sensitivity. Before evaluating EsteCem II, Dr. Martin said he was hoping to find an “ideal cementation material,” and he ultimately decided that EsteCem II fulfilled a lot of his requirements. Dr. Davis, who said he would recommend and purchase the material in the future, disclosed, “I feel the cement is an excellent option for bonding procedures.”

takeaways

•

Automix tips facilitate dispensing

•

Excellent handling and superior esthetics

•

Versatile for materials made of porcelain, zirconia, alumina, metals/alloys, and resins